Halloween House On Fire Display Setting Off Alarms
I’m a Halloween fan. Granted, when my kids were younger and trick-or-treating, I got more into it. We would decorate the house and yard to make them as spooky as possible.
The decorations included a stuffed, headless man dressed in overalls and a flannel shirt, which we referred to as “The Woodsman.” For a touch of reality, we would buy fresh chicken livers and gizzards, and along with some fake blood, we would stuff his neck with them so it would look like a fresh decapitation.
I know, I know, it sounds super gross, but it really wasn’t. All the kids in the neighborhood would start asking us weeks ahead of time if we were going to put out “The Woodsman.”
Over the years, we have seen many elaborate decorations. Some are playful, some are scary, but for realism, a couple in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, has raised the bar. In fact, they have raised the bar so high that the local fire department and police have received calls from concerned citizens.
The couple attempted to clarify the situation by sharing a video on Facebook on Friday, October 3rd. The video appeared to depict a burning home belonging to Amanda Peden and her fiancé, Sam Lee, with flames visible through the windows and smoke rising from the property. However, Peden emphasized in the post that it was merely an illusion created in time for Halloween.
Pedan posted:
“Our house will be on fire (not real fire) as Halloween decorations every night from 8-10 PM between now and October 31st. Please do not call the fire department again! 512 N Main St in Fountain Inn if you want to see it!”
Peden and Lee further clarified that, although incredibly realistic looking, no one is in danger. In an interview with “Today” published last week, they explained that the display is essentially a smoky light show created with special effects that suggest their home is ablaze. While the illusion is happening on the outside, the couple is safe inside their home.
“We watch TV and keep our regular lights on. The windows are loud, though.”
This isn’t the couple’s first rodeo with eccentric Halloween decorations. The “Greenville News” reported that their burning home display is similar to another one they created two years ago.
Lee was tight-lipped about how they pulled off the display, saying only, “You can easily Google it and find out how it’s done.”
Meanwhile, Peden’s Facebook post has taken off with 68,000 likes and another 88,000 shares.
Naturally, some snowflakes think the display is too realistic. One commenter wrote, “It does look cool, but that honestly should be illegal.”
Lee summed up their reaction perfectly, telling “Today,”
“Most people appreciate it, but you’ve got the one percent who are never happy with anything.”
The display is so realistic that over the years, the Fountain Hill Fire Department has received multiple calls reporting the blaze. However, the department has a good attitude about it and seems to take the calls in stride.
Fountain Inn Fire Chief Russell Alexander previously told Today:
“The first year, we were inundated with phone calls from people driving by the home. They’ve done a pretty good job of trying to get it out on social media: ‘Hey, please don’t call the fire department. Our house is not on fire.’”
Alexander says that so far this month, his department has only received around four calls about the “burning house.” That said, he says that even though the department is aware of the staged holiday scene, if they receive a call, he will still send a truck over just to be safe.
“There’s always that slight chance of a lamp shorting out or the smoke machine overheated. Ethically, it’s, it’s what we do.”
In my opinion, I think the display is great. The fire department is on board with it, and the concerned calls have almost totally dried up. In this day and age, everything is so politically correct that having something fun and exciting like this lifts everyone’s spirits.
Congrats to Amanda and Lee for taking the time and effort to create something as unique and fun as it is extravagant. Don’t allow the few naysayers to dampen your mood. Have fun and enjoy the holiday.
